Posted on 07/08/2023 9:40:25 AM PDT by lowbridge
The most powerful federal appeals court in the western United States once again refused to let cities and towns force the homeless off of the streets unless communities provide shelter for them.
Cities large and small across the west coast have tried, and failed, to overturn the higher court's ruling for years, the latest of which came from the Oregon city, Grants Pass.
"We are having a situation where the police were telling homeless people that they couldn't sleep in public or private, and private property," said Grants Pass Mayor Sara Bristol. "And eventually, that kind of boiled down to homeless people feeling like they couldn't find a place to rest where they weren't being harassed."
Bristol said the ruling highlights deep political divisions in her city and county. There are currently a few solutions on the table.
"There's been so much discussion and controversy in the community that we're kind of at a standstill about what to do about it," said Bristol.
This court has dictated Los Angeles' response to the homeless crisis for years. The city was forced to accept encampment because of a staggering shortage of shelters.
But the court was more divided on this case than ever with a growing number of judges appointed by former President Donald Trump lashing out. They claimed the homeless, by occupying public space, are destroying the quality of life in many cities.
"Homelessness is presently the defining public health and safety crisis in the western United States," wrote conservative Judge Milan Smith Jr. "There are stretches of (Los Angeles) where one cannot help but think the government has shirked its most basic responsibilities under the social contract: providing public safety and ensuring that public spaces remain open to all."
(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...
States and the federal gov't spend billions on homelessness, but the problem is that the money is going to homeless "advocacy" groups and activists who keep the problem in the forefront, to justify taxpayers spending more money on homelessness.
You also have anti-landlord policies and zoning regulations that restrict the building of new homes or apartments.
It's just a giant racket
9th Jerkits say that government controls all. Government steals from citizens to pay for bums, criminals, and drug addicts; and people can’t do a damn thing about it.
They are fed and clothed and medical needs met.... and even free drug samples and the delivery systems for them. They will tell you why should they leave the streets when they can have everything they need to enjoy their highs for free and o whatever they want to rather than work for someone else. ...it's easier to return to what is ‘familiar’ to them...a life of drugs, prostitution both male and female, etc etc. because they love their drugs first and foremost over everything.
It is NOT a Homeless problem - it's entirely a population of drug addicts unwilling to leave their lifestyle they enjoy.
“Can’t one establish a $20 per night ‘fee’ for camping on public property (within city limits)?”
Sure, but once the city takes that first $20.00 and a receipt is provided, it will be easily viewed as a lease agreement and the city would have to start an eviction process which could take months.
Once the eviction takes place, the homeless person moves their camp fifty feet down the street, pays another 20 bucks and another months long eviction process starts again.
Homelessness is a difficult problem as long as you don’t distinguish among the categories of “the homeless” which include the down-and-out but also addicts, the mentally ill, lazy and anti-authoritarian jerks, illegals, criminals on the run and “free spirits” looking for a good time.
Cities might be expected to provide shelters but should be able to discriminate between natives of the city and carpetbaggers. Natives who can prove their previous residence and productive lives in the city can be allowed to use shelters for a period of time, say 90 days, with assistance to get back on their feet; the interlopers can be shown the highway. The mentally ill can be diagnosed and placed in special secure shelters, previously known as mental hospitals. The drug addicts can be dried out in jail and shown the highway. All but the seriously disabled should be required to do something to earn benefits.
I know that is simplistic but something has to start unless we want to continue looking like slums of Brazil and India and we all suffer the known consequences of poor hygiene and waste disposal.
“Vagrancy laws seem to have gone away...”
Along with Public Nuisance, Intoxication.
“9th Circuit Court orders cities and towns cannot force homeless people off the street”
I wonder how many other countries have to deal with courts this intrusive. Personally, I cannot think of any.
But the only Court to overturn SCOTUS by ruling against their ruling - the plaintiffs had no money left to pursue so it stood and stands to this day.
Set up mini-camps as close to the judges’ homes as possible and around their courtrooms.
Let them learn to live with the situation.
The unrest in Israel is because of the Commies on their Supreme Court.
I listened to the people running the downtown homeless shelter in Tallahassee. They were offered a free, very nice facility at the edge of the county. Their response was, “No. We intend to keep the homeless in your face until you do something about it.” I gather the something they referred to was giving the homeless homes. But it’s not a homelessness problem. It’s a combination of mental illness, drug and alcohol addiction and probably a few with just low IQ’s. Believe it or not, it was mayor Gillium, of the found-naked-and-unconscious-with-OD’d-male-prostitute fame, who moved the shelter from downtown...to...next to the local community college. This was because enough businesses banned together and threatened to leave the downtown. Now, the homeless infest the community college common areas, which was a very nice mall. Now, it’s a daytime homeless and drug center. Students get accosted every day. Very unpleasant. Lots of crime.
I can see. You feel strongly about this.
Ikeon - you are absolutely correct. Your post reminded me of an older, wiser man that with me was a small part of a non-profit Board that made decisions. These included hiring and firing staff/employees. Darvin and I were in the minority to terminate the employ of the President of the organization. Others would come along in due time.
But, knowing his wisdom, I asked a simple question - “Darvin, how do we get him to leave?” Darvin rubbed his temple and slowly said, “In my experience when we quit writing him checks, he will leave.”
Darvin was right, as is your post. There has to be a cessation of support and food. If that happens, they will find a way to survive - get a job and work for money.
Gwjack
Ignore the court, they have no police force. Public safety comes above the whims of a failed lawyer.
And cities should just make the only legal outdoor camping(homeless camps) within 500 feet of any personal residence of an Officer of the Court
Is the court saying it is time to reopen the mental health care facilities that were closed by the Democrats?
The problem is the few who wish to grift, and see this as the vehicle.
They in turn convince/con gullible bleeding hearts that the bums NEED help, which those who give are to be lauded, knowing that the bleeding hearts are not the source of the monies.
The government money is the target.
This has very little to do with actual helping homeless persons.
The entire program /movement is a manifestation of the long con, by hustlers and conmen/women.
The druggies and hobos get a few cans of food, handful of drugs, and are "allowed" to wallow, as a front for the need for more money.
Turn off the spigot, and the place gets self policed and cleaned up, overnight.
Lead grifters thrown into jail with lengthy sentences would deter ever further.
Make them walk 15 miles a day from one shelter to the next along unused railroad tracks. Out of sight and out of mind. We are entitled. One backpac for water and air horn to ward off the animals. Warehouses 15 miles apart for night time shelter. MRE’s passed out by concerned volunteers. I doubt if any volunteers would be leftists.
.
Martha’s Vineyard somehow does away with them.
The people unite to quietly and inhospitably move them on to places where they can’t be seen from their perches.
I see there are many nice Federal Court Houses out West…..
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